This week we start a new year. All you have to do is open any social media page to see lots of posts about resolutions, goals, and words for this next year. In our culture we view January as a reset of sorts and fresh start.  Just like many of you, I too have spent some time thinking about what my focus for this new year will be. I gave up on resolutions years ago, because they don’t work for me. I have tried setting more short term goals instead. Some of which have worked, some not so much. Last year, I picked a couple of key phrases, based on scripture. That was okay for the first part of the year, but then became bored and starting wanting to change things up. These last few weeks I have been thinking and praying about what my “thing” will be for 2019. In addition to having several conversations with friends about what their focus will be.

This morning I had thought I would finalize my plans for this year, but all that changed when God got involved. Or, more like I started listening. Before going any further, I think it’s important for me to clarify some things I’m not saying. I’m not saying that resolutions or goals are bad, or that you shouldn’t choose a word. All things can be good and helpful. But this year, I feel like God is telling me to choose a name instead of a word or phrase. And not just any name, but Jesus. Stay with me here and let me see if I can explain.

There were actually several words I had been thinking about making my focus for this year. Truth, fully present or engaged, surrender and bold are just a few that were on my list of possibilities.  Here is where the problem came and what I was convicted of this morning. I was making this about me. My word, my goals, my plans. That is not how God wants it. You see as a follower of Jesus, my life is not my own. As we read in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,  for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body” And in 1 Peter 1:15-16 15 “But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” Jesus called me and set me apart for His purposes and His glory. By picking a word, phrase or goal I am attempting to maintain control. Now, I’m not saying that God doesn’t tell some people “I want you to focus on this or that”. But the more I listened the more I feel Him calling me to something different.

As I looked back through my journal for the past several days it became clear where God was leading me. Here are just a few notes that I made for myself over the past few days:

• No devotional or book can replace the word of God.
• No money, position, or job can replace Jesus alive and active in my life.
• No matter what it is Jesus will always be better.
• The name of Jesus alone holds power and authority.
• No matter the problem or situation, Jesus is bigger. He alone makes ALL things possible.
• I can’t, but Jesus can!

The way I see it, is by focusing on the name of Jesus and fully submitting to Him each and every day keeps the focus and attention away from me and fully on Him. If today He calls me to be bold, then I can be bold in and through Him. If He calls me to be joyful, I can be joyful. When He calls to rest and be still, I can do that without feeling guilty because my focus is exactly where it should be- on Jesus. When I face problems, I can meet them with Jesus and the power and authority His name brings. The other thing is that all the words I could possible come up with to focus on are things I should already be doing as a christian. Why am I picking just one thing?

Please don’t get me wrong here-this is what and where I feel God calling me at this point and time. He may be calling you somewhere different. My purpose is simply to share and encourage each of you to spend some time in prayer seeking God’s direction for you in these upcoming months and year.